Attention to detail is crucial in the work of an event manager: contractors, guests, celebrities, logistics, and numerous approvals — all of this is on their shoulders, and sometimes a very small mistake can lead to a major failure.
Much has been written about the event manager profession: there are stories about what special character traits specialists should possess and what their job entails. But what lies behind the flip side of the image of a sociable and active professional in organising events?Perfectionists and pedants
Attention to detail is of great importance in an event manager's work: contractors, guests, stars, logistics and numerous approvals — all this is on their shoulders, and sometimes even a tiny mistake can lead to a big failure. But even here you can and should know when to stop, which many specialists fail to do. There is a very fine line between pedantry and an obsessive desire to control everything and everyone.
Trying to keep all sides of the process in mind, then not sleeping or eating from worry and tension, getting used to a slightly twitching eye — all these are common side effects of the profession. Fortunately, they are not at all obligatory. Experienced professionals advise learning to work as a team — and above all, not just to work but to trust your team. And it's important to have a way to let off steam quickly, so as not to burn out and make it to the end of the event. But here, too, it turns out not everything is so simple: you finally trust your team, you can meditate while riding the elevator, but in 90% of cases everything will still not go to plan. And it is at this moment that the event manager's professionalism really shows — the ability to quickly find a solution and come up with an immediate way out of the situation. And at the same time to be the calmest and most level-headed person at the event. A balancing act on the edge, wouldn't you agree?
Just a job, nothing personal.
From the outside, a job where you are always surrounded by celebration, dressed-up people and interesting events seems full of nothing but positive emotions — a glamorous life with plenty of bonuses attached.
Of course, one cannot deny that the event manager's job has its advantages, but at the same time it is hard work involving a large number of stressful situations. If you want to go home to your family at six p.m. and forget about work, you've come to the wrong place. One of the main features of the profession is the need to be flexible, to work as much as necessary to achieve the result, and to always be in touch. That concerns preparation. But even when the event is in full swing, you may have absolutely no time to rest, enjoy the program, or even eat. Yes, event managers often organise large events not only in various beautiful places, but also in different cities and countries. A change of scenery, travel — those are new impressions, great Instagram photos and that full-on life to the max! But, one must admit, in reality, if you managed to see the new city from the taxi window on the way to your return flight to the airport, that's already a big success. And don't you know how Instagram photos are taken?
High society
Another common opinion about the event manager's job is the numerous acquaintances and friendships with famous people, stars, businessmen, models, musicians. Of course, it is very pleasant and valuable to communicate with talented and charismatic personalities whose creativity and work everyone admires and is inspired by. But every event manager has plenty of stories about how this communication often leaves not the most pleasant emotions and impressions. Famous people are far from always friendly conversationalists, and it is even less often that they are easy to work with. But everything that happens behind the scenes stays behind the scenes. And yes, the event manager is a stage worker. Not an artist and not the main person of the celebration, but a 'grey eminence' whose job is to create a well-coordinated event where all participants will clearly perform their duties, guests will have glasses in their hands, and smiles on their faces.
Technology addiction
The life of many event managers is closely connected with technology and social networks, and there is a feeling that these people are online around the clock. They constantly check their phone and answer calls, emails and messages on social networks and messaging apps. This can really get on the nerves of family and friends, and become a cause for conflicts and accusations of inattention and addiction. But it is important to understand that the need to be online is also part of the job, and sometimes you need to treat this with understanding, and sometimes suggest to a friend who is an event manager that one day a month without a laptop and phone will be more effective for them than a week's holiday at the seaside.
True professionals do their work at a fantastic level and manage to keep time for their personal life. Undoubtedly, the specifics of the profession and the character traits that event managers need to cope with their work and build a successful career can interfere with their personal life and communication with friends, close ones, parents and loved ones. In our team we try to ensure that every event manager learns to combine an intense work rhythm with the ability to switch to family and a favourite hobby. After all, it is in this that true professionals draw inspiration to create events that will later be remembered as significant, extraordinary and unforgettable.
We'll prepare an estimate tailored to your format within 1 business dayCorporate events, conferences, client days — 16 years and 1,200+ projects.
Calculate the estimateWas this article helpful?
